Here at ONE Archives, we think one of the best ways to celebrate LGBT National Pride Month is by taking Pride in your past. This June, when you attend your own Pride celebrations across the country, take a moment to remember those early LGBT activists who bravely paved the way for us before and after Stonewall. They were willing to risk everything to defend our right to simply exist.

We stand on their shoulders today as we work toward marriage equality, national federal employment protections, and putting an end to antigay violence, among many other rights and protections we are still seeking. Their legacy has now become our legacy … let’s take really good care of it and make them proud.

“Freedom is never given — it must be taken” — Gay Liberation Front Newsletter, 1970